The war in Gaza leads to attacks on Jews in Germany, the strength of the AfD. Josef Schuster, Central Council President, about the threatened Jewish life in the country.
Mister CobblerThe war in Gaza divides German society – and leads to attacks on Jews in the country. This week, the process of brutal, possibly anti -Semitic attack on the Jewish student Lahav Shapira continues. What are you expecting?
Criminal law generally must have a deterrent effect for possible imitators. The brutality in this special case does not tolerate any indulgence.
A fellow student had smashed his face in early February 2024. At that time, Shapira’s lawyer spoke of “propalestinian hegemony” to the universities. How safe are Jews at German universities?
We have seen unbearable scenes at German universities since October 7, 2023. Especially in larger cities, especially in Berlin, but also in the Ruhr area or in Frankfurt, there is still such an anti -Israel atmosphere that Jewish students and teachers are afraid on the campus. If the situation is still not under control, especially after such a long time, the university lines have failed in my view. Their task is to ensure the security of all students.
Josef Schuster: “As a guest, you cannot abuse the country’s freedoms”
In Berlin, four people from other European countries and the USA are to be shown because they were involved in the occupation of the Free University. At that time, axes were used, employees were threatened and Hamas signs left. The right way?
I think the procedure is right and understandable. I have no understanding if someone comes to Germany as a student and then storms the uniobark building. It cannot be that as a guest you can abuse the country’s freedoms and, as in this case, threaten other people physically.
The four people are not convicted. The behavior of the Berlin authorities is reminiscent of Donald Trump’s approach to US universities, is explained by critics. What do you counter?
Honestly: who actually has to explain themselves here? It is much too quickly forgotten for me that this discussion is about the protection of Jewish students. The free movement of the EU in particular is a high asset, that is clear, and we need a legally safe solution. But we should remain aware of what it is about.
“People’s suffering in Gaza is immensely ”, they wrote some time ago. How can solidarity be shown with the victims in Germany?
I feel sorry for the civilian population in Gaza. In order for this to end, Hamas has to lose control and the hostages have to be released. One should not forget: Hamas uses kindergartens, schools and mosques consciously to hide behind their own population. You started this war.
“You can criticize Israeli warfare without judging Jews”
Where does legitimate criticism of this military operation end for you?
There are many pro-Palestinian demonstrations here in the country. That’s okay. But I find it unbearable when Jews in Germany are threatened with a conflict in the Middle East. The connection with Israel is part of Jewish identity – including the German Jews, this is out of the question. Of course, you can criticize Israeli warfare without judging Jews. But if you delegitate or demonize Israel, you are in common with the goals of Hamas.
A memorial lesson in a former concentration camp is not the place for dealing with the current government policy of Israel.
The Holocaust commemoration is also overshadowed by the war. The German-Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm Should give a speech at the commemoration on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Buchenwald. The Israeli government protested that the speech was canceled. Can you understand that?
I did not understand his invitation through the memorial. I don’t like to match Omri Boehm with many beliefs, but you have to endure. A memorial lesson in a former concentration camp is not the place for dealing with the current government policy of Israel.
That day it was a British student who accused Israel of a genocide during her speech in the former concentration camp.
That was completely inappropriate. These equations are grotesque and just as a level in Germany. I dismayed that you seem to believe that you are well received here.
“A visit to Friedrich Merz in Israel would be a good signal”
The designated Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to invite the Israeli Prime Minister to Germany despite international arrest warrants. Germany would actually have to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu. Is this invitation smart?
Friedrich Merz said it was unimaginable that a representative of Israel could no longer enter the EU. I agree.
You described the punitive order against Benjamin Netanyahu as an absurdity at the end of last year.
Much of this punitive order is questionable. Just whether there is any responsibility here. Of course, I am aware that this decision is still difficult for the federal government because it basically feels bound by the decisions.
What do you suggest?
Israel not only has one prime minister. The state’s highest representative is the president. Jitzchak Herzog could soon come to Germany. A visit to Friedrich Merz in Israel would also be a good signal.
What do you expect from the new government to protect Jewish life in Germany?
Above all, it takes the will to enforce Jewish life in Germany. Also against resistance. The planned tightening of the incitement paragraphs is clearly in the right direction here, only this has to be implemented in practice. As for Israel and Israel -related anti -Semitism, what we saw in the papers from the working groups was also clear. I was all the more disappointed that most of it was shifted back in the coalition agreement and that we have basically reached well -known, indefinite formulations.
Central Council President Schuster about his relationship with Claudia Roth
The coalition agreement states that it should be ensured that no organizations and projects are funded in which anti -Semitism is spread or the right to exist of Israel is questioned. How is that supposed to succeed? By examining the protection of the constitution?
This whole discussion irritates me. Who actually has something against the fact that people or organizations who are classified by the protection of the constitution are not promoted by German tax money? If we do not agree in Germany, we really have a big problem.
Especially the relationship between Minister of Culture Claudia Roth The Greens and the Jewish community were recently considered difficult …
This tense relationship with Claudia Roth was only created in office. We knew each other beforehand and I always had the impression that she is someone who very much appreciates, protects and also wants to promote Jewish life in Germany. Unfortunately, your office missed this.
With all freedom of expression and art, I expect more rigorosity in dealing with anti-Semitism.
They were irritated, for example because of anti -Semitic art on the documenta or Roth’s dealings with the Berlinale.
In a conversation in the Federal Chancellery, we clearly warned Ms. Roth before the documenta in Kassel about possible anti -Semitic works of art. That was three months before the start. At the time, she assured that we didn’t have to worry. We all know the result. That deeply disappointed me.
What happens when the AfD becomes the strongest force?
What does a new Minister of Culture have to do?
With all freedom of expression and art, I expect more rigorosity in dealing with anti-Semitism.
“The freedom and moderation of our liberal democracy are the basic prerequisites for Jewish life of our time,” they write in the foreword to their new book. How very threatened do you see both?
Our freedom can only be maintained with moderation. In Germany you dare to say things that seemed unspeakably for a long time. Anti -Semitism has become normal again – whether from right -wing radical, Islamist or postcolonial left -wing extremist side. This deeply irritates me. A radicality becomes socially acceptable that destroys our freedom together in the long run. Germany has to ensure that something like the Schoa can never happen again. I’m afraid that the feeling of responsibility for it is disappearing. It is actively driven by officials of the AfD, for example, who speak of the “guilty cult” or the “memorial of the shame”.
The party was recently even in front of the CDU in a first survey. What would it mean for Jews if a farest -right party in Germany would be strongest strength in Germany?
The more a party like the AfD becomes, the more democratic values lose importance. If such A party should then be responsible at the federal level, one would have to seriously ask the question of whether Jewish life in Germany is still possible. If this were answered with no, this would also mean that the Central Council would have to consider the opportunity to recommend Jewish citizens from Germany.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
